Combination switch and fusing device



Nov. 14, 1933. L. G. KUHLMAN El AL 1,934,805

I COMBINATION SWITCH. AND FUSING DEVICE Filed Oct. 28, 1950 2 Sheets-Shem. l

duza G. Huh/man I Edwin M Mmdmm'er New. M, 31933. L. G. KUHLMAN ET AL 1,934,805

COMBINATION SWITCH AND FUSING DEVICE Filed om. 28, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 syn vent LeaG. Kain/man Eda/An WLandmcz'er Patented Nov. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES COMBINATION SWITCH AND FUING DEVICE Leo G. Kuhlman and Edwin W. Landmeier, @ovington, Ky., assignors to The Wadsworth Electric Manufacturing Company, Govington, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Application October 28, 1930.

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a fusing device which may beused as an electrical switch.

An object of the invention is to provide a fusy ing device of the above character, the electrically charged contacts of which are disposed so as to afford maximum protection against accidental electrical shock.

Another object is to so arrange the elements of the device that the electrical contacts may be rendered readily accessible for adjustment and inspection, whether, or not the fuse holding device associated therewith is in the operative position.

A further object is the provision of novel means for disposing the fuse block or holding device in an inoperative position.

Another object is .to provide a device of the above character wherein ample air-circulation is provided for, to preclude premature blowing of fuses due to heat generated in the electrical contacts and the fuse itself.

These and other objects are attainedby the means described herein and disclosed in the ac-= companying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 isa front elevational View of the improved fusing device, the door or cover therefor being shown in the open position.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the remov= able fuse holder or fuse block which forms part of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the fuse holder taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of taken on line H of Fig. 1.

The fusing device of the present invention comprises a sheet metal box 6, the rear wall '1 of which supports a fuse block receptacle 8, which latter provides a support for a series of electrical blade receiving contacts 9 adapted to cooperate with the contact blades 10 of a fuse block represented generally by the character 12. The fuse block receptacle preferably is formed of a hollow the device block of insulating material, such as fiber, a phenolic compound, or a ceramic substance such as porcelain. This receptacle may be secured to the rear wall of the cabinet by any suitable means,

' such as the screws 13. The well or opening for receiving the fuses 14 and clips 18 of the fuse holder or fuse block, is indicated at 15. As disclosed in Fig. 1, the opposite sides 16 of the fuse receptacle are provided, exteriorly thereof, with the opposed sets of contacts 9, which, if desired,

may be disposed adjacent suitable'guides or ways 1'1 provided in the outer surface of the sides.

The contact blades 10 of the fuse block 12 are adapted for engagement with the contacts 9, said blades being disposed exteriorly of the well 15.

The fuses 14 and their clips 18 seat within the Serial No. 491328 well when the contacts are put in circuit by applying the fuse holder.

Attention is directed to the fact that the fuse holding block 12 may be inoperatively associated with the part 8, by bodily removing the block, rotating said block 90 in either a clockwiseor counterclockwise direction, then replacing it so that the contact blades 10 will assume a position adjacent to the opposite sides 19 of block 8, which sides carry no electrical contacts. As indicated in Fig. 1, the sides 19 may be provided with guideways or passages 20 for reception of the blades 10, when the fuse block is inoperatively associated with the contact carrying block 8. In the inoperative position as well as in the operative position, the fuses and their clips are disposed within the well 15, while the contacts 10 are disposed exteriorly of the well.

From the foregoing explanation, it should be readily apparent that safe and ready manipulation of the fuse holding block is provided for. By means of this arrangement, heat generated in thecontacts 9 and 10 is not confined within the well 15, but is allowed to radiate therefrom into the cabinet interior, which is spacious and well ventilated. Premature blowing of fuses is thereby precluded, and the small amount of heat generated in the fuse is permitted to escape through the ventilating openings 200 formed in the body of the fuse holding block. The outer face of the fuse holding block preferably is pro readily be disposed in the operative and inoperative positions. As shown in Big. 3, the fuse clips and contacts 10 may be integral, and fasvided with a handle 21 whereby the block may of the screws 22, the heads of which are covered with an insulating compound 220.

A protective plate 23 having a large central opening 124 through which the well portion of, the fuse receiving block may extend, is arranged for disposition within the cabinet parallel to the back wall thereof in spaced relationship. The well portion of the block 8 extends slightly forwardly of the protective plate as-indicated in Fig. 4, and thecontacts 9, being disposed behind the plate, cannot accidently come into contact with the fingers of a person operating the fusing device. At 230 is indicated sheets of insulating material, which may be riveted or otherwise secured to the inner face of the protective plate, as indicated at 24, which sheets prevent the contacts 10 from touching any metal of the plate when the fuse holding 'block is inserted, or removed. The cut out portions 25 in the protective plate may provide guides for the contact blades 10 when the fuse holding block'is disposed in the inoperative position.

The protective plate 23 is held in position by means of lugs or extensions 26 disposed interiorly of the cabinet, and a screw 2'? serves to secure the plate against removal. By removing the fuse holding block'12 and the screw 27, the plate may be removed andthe contacts each inspected or adjusted.

The interior block 8 provides a mounting for electrical terminals 28, to which electrical connection may be made through suitable openings 29 in the cabinet walls. It is to be understood that the block 8 may be formed of any suitable material properly insulated to prevent short circuiting or grounding of the electrical terminals and contacts, and the manner of mounting the block and the protective plate, is immaterial. The cabinet preferably is provided with a hinged door 30 having a latch element 31 adapted to cooperate with a latch element 32 on one of the cabinet walls. By connecting the pairs of contacts 10 by means of suitable conductor straps, the device may be converted into a simple electrical switch having all of the advantages that are found in thedevice when used as a fuse cabinet. The contacts 9, being disposed exteriorly of the well 15, cannot he accidentally touched by the operator, and in addition they may be inspected and adjusted while the fuse holding block is in position with the .plate 23 removed. The absence of heat radiating from the contacts precludes premature blowing of fuses, for this heat is prevented from accumulating within the well 15 which houses the fuses.

What is'claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described the combination of a block, electrical contact elements having engageable contact surfaces disposed exteriorly of the block, and a removable member carrying electrical contacts for cooperation with the first mentioned contact elements, the removable member being adapted for partial rotation and replacement for support by the block with the contacts in a non-cooperative position.

2. In a device of theclass described the combination of a block, electrical contact elements having engageable contact surfaces disposed exteriorly of the block, and a removable member carrying electrical contacts for cooperation with the first mentioned contact elements, the removable member being adapted for partial rotation, in a plane parallel to the plane of the block, and replacement for support by the block with the contacts in a non-cooperative position.

3. In a device of the class described the combination of a hollow cup-shaped block providing a fuse receiving well, electrical contact elements having engageable contact surfaces disposed ex- ,teriorly of the well, and a removable member carrying electrical contacts for cooperation with the first mentioned contact elements exteriorly of the well, said removable member being provided with fuses adapted to enter the well when the contacts are in cooperative contacting relationship.

4. In a device of the class described the combination of a hollow block providing a fuse receiving well, electrical contact elements mounted exteriorly of the well, and a removable member carrying electrical contacts for cooperation with the first mentioned contact elements exteriorly of the well, said removable member being provided with fuses adapted to enter the well when the contacts are in cooperative contacting relationship, the removable member being of such dimensions with respect to the hollow block, that by partial rotation in a plane parallel to the plane of the block, and subsequent replacement, said removable member is supported with its contacts in a non-cooperative position relative to the first mentioned contact elements, with the fuses disposed within the well.

ii. In a device of the class described the combination of a hollow cup-shaped block providing a fuse receiving well, electrical contact elements having engageable contact surfaces disposed exteriorly of the well, and a removable member carrying electrical contacts for cooperation with the first mentioned contact elements exteriorly of of the walls of the well, fuses on the fuse holder L said fuses being received in the well interior, the fuse holder being removable bodily from its nonmal electrical contacting position and adapted to be partially rotated in a plane parallel to the plane of the well, subsequent to which said fuse holder may be bodily moved toward the well with the contacts of the fuse holder disposed adjacent the second pair of well walls. V

'i. In combination a cabinet, contact mounting means supported in the cabinet and having formed therein a fuse receiving well having pairs of opposed walls, electrical contacts disposed adiacent both of one pair of opposed walls of the well, exteriorly thereof, a fuse holder, contacts on in the fuse holder adapted normally to engage the contacts adjacent the opposite exterior sides of the walls of the well, fuses on the fuse holder said fuses being received in the well interior, the fuse holder being removable bodily from its normal electrical contacting position and adapted to be partially rotated in a plane parallel to the plane of the well, subsequent to which said fuse holder may be bodily moved toward the well 'with the contacts of the fuse holder disposed ad jacent the second pair oi. well walls, and a protective plate surrounding the contact mounting means.

ii. In combination a cabinet, contact mounting means supported in the cabinet and having formed therein a fuse receiving well having pairs of opposed walls, electrical contacts disposed cdgiacent both of one pair of opposed walls of the well exteriorly thereof, a fuse holder, contacts on the fuse holder adapted normally to engage the contacts adjacent the opposite exterior sides of the walls of the well, fuses on the fuse holder said "fuses being received in the well interior, the fuse holder being removable bodily from its normal electrical contacting position and adapted to be partially rotated in a plane parallel to the plane of the well, subsequent to which said fuse holder may be bodily moved toward the well with the contacts of the fuse holder disposed adjacent the second pair of well walls and a protective plate surrounding the contact mounting means and provided with cut away portions for guiding th contacts of the fuse holder.

LEO G. KUHLMAN. EDWIN W. LANDMEIER. 

